WHY LATER?
Coming from supper in the mall, we needed to go down to the lower level, to exit. As we were about to use the stairs, we decided to rather use the escalator. As we were approaching, we noticed an elderly lady on the ground surrounded by paramedics trying to bring her back to life. Her two daughters were around them, devastated by what just happened, which seemed to be a heart attack.
At first, we stood there, hands stretched out wide, praying and speaking life and then when we wanted to leave, the Holy Spirit was clear that we had to move closer to render support and prayer to the daughters. We continued to speak life in Jesus name, calling the mom to come back to life, but we realised that God’s will still prevails. I then prayed with the two daughters for peace beyond human understanding. We then left the scene and continued to pray during the evening.
How many times do we find ourselves, walking past someone who is alone, hungry and cold? They don’t always ask for anything, but was it not the obvious that caught our attention in the first place? Then there are the situations when we speak to people, family, friends, co-workers and those standing in the queue with us at the supermarket.
It might be that their car broke down, unplanned medical expenses occurred, someone was retrenched, or they had to attend a family funeral far away, not having planned additional costs for travelling. We find ourselves in situations every day, everywhere but the question is, what do we do about it and when?
When we come across situations as reflected above, we often tell people that we are sorry to hear about their challenge, that we will stand in faith with them, that everything will work out well, that God will provide for them and that we will pray for them. That is good, and I believe that it is what God expects from us; BUT, I also know that God wants us to do MORE. I share the following Scriptures with you:
Proverbs 3:27 – 28: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbour, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you” — when you already have it with you.”
Matthew 25:35 – 40: “For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.”
These Scriptures explain the MORE that God wants us TO DO. He wants us to not only listen, but to hear. He wants us to not only say we will do something, only to have forgotten about it later because of our busy and rushed lives. It is about the moment, right there and then, when the need arises. I agree, later, also has merit and we will always have situations where, later, will apply. However, most of the time, we can do something about the situation immediately.
Remember, a smile, hug, word of encouragement and most importantly prayer, costs no money and not even much time. To say, “Jesus loves you”, takes about 2 seconds, to hold a hand and pray “Jesus, Your love and favour, we now call over this situation,” takes 5 seconds. Why do we hesitate and why do we wait? If we know that there is a need for groceries in a house, why don’t we drop off groceries at that house? We so often say we will pray for the situation, but we ourselves, the “vehicles” to make a difference, do not act ourselves?
I want to encourage you, if you see a need, do not delay, act right there and then. Even people who are not in Jesus, have compassion and reach out to make a difference, why? Because, they are still created in God’s image and God has compassion. Let us open our hearts and spiritual ears and eyes, to hear and see the needs around us.
Encourage, love, comfort, speak a word of wisdom, pray and declare God’s Word over and into situations, right there and then, when it happens and the rest of what needs to happen or be done, will follow. Let us not be sorry about postponing and waiting for later, and then it is too late!
Love in Christ, Princess K